Dubai, UAE – The United Arab Emirates celebrates its 54th Union Day.
It continues to consolidate its position as a leading country in various fields, achieving a wide range of political, economic, humanitarian and development achievements.
Effective foreign policy
The UAE has continued its effective foreign policy and its pivotal role in global stability.
The year 2025 witnessed intense activity by Emirati diplomacy in the international arena to stop the war on Gaza.
In addition to condemning the civil war in Sudan and seeking to stop it by supporting a civilian-led political process.
It also intervened to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan, stop the escalation between Israel and Iran, and contributed to forming a global opinion rejecting the Israeli attack on Qatar.
The UAE was a platform for dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and its mediation between Russia and Ukraine continued through 17 rounds during which 4,641 prisoners were exchanged.
The UAE was a major stop for a large number of global leaders who visited the country.
In parallel, the UAE recorded a prominent presence in the most prominent international summits such as the G20, BRICS 2025 and COP30.
Economy.. The fastest growing globally
The UAE economy continued its progress to become one of the fastest growing in the world, with the International Monetary Fund expecting growth of 4.8%.
Non-oil foreign trade during the first half of this year amounted to 1.7 trillion dirhams, a growth of 24.5%.
While the state approved the largest federal budget in its history for the year 2026, worth 92.4 billion dirhams, and launched the National Investment Strategy 2031.
Banking assets exceeded 5.199 trillion dirhams at the end of last September, and in parallel, credit rose to 2.478 trillion dirhams.
Meanwhile, the country launched the “UAE is a Global Trade Centre” programme to attract 1,000 international companies.
Tourism.. Development and prosperity
The tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP rose to AED 257.3 billion, a 13% increase.
The hotel establishments also received more than 16.1 million guests during the first half of 2025.
In the same context, the year witnessed the launch of major projects such as “Al Tayy Hills” in Sharjah, “Disney Abu Dhabi” and “Therm Dubai”.
In addition to prominent cultural initiatives such as the opening of Team Lab Abu Dhabi, the Natural History Museum, and the Dubai Art Museum.
Modernizing the legislative system
The UAE has followed the path of modernizing the legislative system by issuing new decrees and laws.
Including the establishment of the National Anti-Narcotics Agency, the Federal Ambulance and Civil Defense Authority, and a new personal status law.
In addition to approving a smart legislative system based on artificial intelligence.
Cybersecurity.. Top priority
The year 2025 witnessed the launch of long-term strategies in the areas of cybersecurity, talent recruitment, zeroing bureaucracy, the volunteer system, and the National Agenda for Family Growth 2031.
The UAE has dedicated its global leadership to the humanitarian field.
It maintained its position among the largest donors of humanitarian aid worth $1.46 billion.
Since the outbreak of the crisis until last November, Gaza has provided aid worth more than 9.4 billion dirhams, including the transportation of more than 100,000 tons of supplies and the evacuation of 3,000 injured people.
It also provided 3 billion dirhams to Sudan over two years, continued to support stability in Yemen, and extended a helping hand to dozens of countries affected by crises.
Global competitiveness and environment
The UAE has risen to advanced positions in global competitiveness.
It was included in the list of the Big Five in the 2025 Annual Competitiveness Report issued by the Global Competitiveness Center.
It topped the world for the fourth year in the GEM Global Entrepreneurship Observatory report, and ranked tenth globally in the Soft Power Index 2025.
The UAE has led environmental protection efforts through pioneering projects such as the first marine exploration voyage of seabed.
With a move to expand Abu Dhabi’s nature reserves to 20%, and to launch solar energy plants, hydrogen projects, and wind projects inside and outside the country through national companies.
Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Economy
In 2025, the UAE revolutionized artificial intelligence and the digital economy.
The percentage of use of artificial intelligence tools reached 97%, and the number of programmers exceeded 450,000.
2025 witnessed the launch of the UAE – American Artificial Intelligence Complex with a capacity of 5 gigawatts, and the signing of an Emirati – French cooperation framework.
In addition to launching a global center of excellence for cybersecurity in cooperation with Google.
In addition to a global initiative worth one billion dollars to support artificial intelligence projects in Africa.
Infrastructure and urban development projects continued, such as the high-speed train project between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, a national road plan worth 170 billion dirhams, and huge projects in transportation, water and energy.
In addition to major housing expansions in various regions.
